Help buying a Tundra

[Toyota Man]

I'm thinking about buying a new truck. My 95 Toyota pickup is just not going to be big enough or have enough power for what I want to do for much longer.

I want to get a first generation Tundra I think. the extra cab with the 6 foot bed is what I've been looking at. But before I get one I'd like to get some advice on what to look for. Did any of the years have inherent problems? Was there a year that they did significant upgrades? Is the LSD in the rear end worth getting? Anything I should look for when buying a used one of these other than the normal stuff?

Any help would be great. Also any of you that have one, let me know what you like about it. And what you don't.

Thanks, Max

 

[Duane]

Here is a link I found for a quick history of the introduction in 1993 and through 2001.
ToyotaOffRoad.com - History of the Toyota Tundra

I knew of 2 guys driving 01's or 02's and they were thrilled with them. Over 200,000 km's driving to and from work and on a live firing military tank and small arms training area.
Their job is in the oil field checking wells, hauling barrels and equipment, towing equipment trailers and 4 wheeling in lots of muck and water. That is why I bought my 05

 

[Duane]

I should have added... my 05 had a recall on ball joints and I'm not sure how many years this affected. Some folks actually had their front wheels almost depart their trucks. If it feels as though it is binding when turning, this seemed to be the tell sign before failure.

 

[mattlock]

I have a 2000 Limited 4WD Ext. Cab. So far I have been pretty happy with it. The only known problems that I can speak to are that it tends to burn up O2 sensors, the first few years had undersized front brake rotors, they are notorious for cracked exhaust manifolds in cold climates and the front sway bar links are known to fail. My truck has had all of those problems with the exception of the manifold crack, which I believe has to do with the fact that it was kept in a heated garage for the first seven years of it's life and I always warm it up, before taking off in the winter. Other than that it is the nicest truck I have ever owned. Many of my Ford and especially Dodge and Chevy buddies have been converted by my truck.

It's really not a full sized truck though. You couldn't tow a skidsteer with it or a large boat or a big camper. If you don't need that and like the way the interior is laid out, go for it. Sit in the back seat though before you buy, for some it's upright position isn't very comfortable on longer trips.

Overall I would give it an A for my needs.

 

[71-CRUISER]

I have an 03 V8 4x4 SR5 Access Cab (80k miles) and I wouldnt trade it for anything. Duane covered about all of the issues. Mine has had the ball joint recall done but no other problems at all in the 4 years I have had it. I don't have the LSD and don't really miss it but I would get it if you have the choice.

I tow my FJ40 behind my truck on a 18" car trailer and it tows fine. It wouldn't haul much more than that, but it is the perfect size for what i do with it, which is mostly drive around town and tow 3-5 times a year.

In 02 they changed the front bumper and in 04 they increased the HP a bit and changed to a 5 speed automatic but they remained mostly the same from 98-06.

 

[apeterson]

no problems to date on my 2001 TRD.... what is the ball and joint deal... when did it come out... I bought mine in 2005

 

[71-CRUISER]

There was a recall on the front Ball Joints. Call your local Dealer and tell them to check if the recall swap was performed or not. You will need your VIN for them to check. If it hasnt been done they should do it for free.

They aparently werent machined correctly and they would wear out and fall apart, hence the wheel almost falling off. Which isn't good.....

 

[MOfj40]

03+ had improved front brakes - 00-02 were known to warp rotors under heavy use.
03+ also introduced variable valve timing, which added 30hp. 00-02 were 245hp, which isn't that much but they weren't turds either.

the v8 is an interference motor - change that timing belt every 90k. If the timing belt breaks you're looking at $3-4k worth of head work.

The front O2 sensors will go out around 100k. $55 each at rockauto.com. Replace both fronts at once because the ecu compares the left to the right.

Great truck overall. I sold mine a few weeks ago because I'm no longer towing anything and 17mpg for a commuter vehicle doesn't cut it. I loved mine and had no complaints with it.